Investigate, Review, Reflect, Act

Investigate official documentation#

Investigate your company’s current documentation system. Find out (from your boss or HR) whether documentation in the system is considered “official” documentation. If such a system doesn’t exist, ask where you would document an employee’s activities/performance for official storage and review.

Decide on unofficial documentation#

Decide where you will keep your personal notes as you manage performance. (Buy a notebook if you haven’t already, or download a note-taking app.) Start by writing your personal definition of performance management. Outline it and bookmark the location so that you can get back to it later.

Research performance#

Research whether your company has a definition of “performance management” beyond the annual performance review. Research whether your company emphasizes particular topics or phrases or guidelines for performance. Are there company-wide “performance targets” that are held up? If you find such guidelines, write down questions you have about them, paying close attention to clarity. If you can’t find any guidelines, consider meeting with your boss and asking the question, “How does the company know whether employees are performing well?”